CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS.

BY

P.DHIVAKARAN

INTRODUCTION

Plants and animals (birds) brighten our lives.

There are many no. of species of plants and animals on earth from millions of years ago. In the last few hundred years they began to disappear one by one with a sickening speed due to the human activities like deforestration, over hunting, polluting of environment.

What is deforestation?
deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purposes.

Causes : Trees in the forest are cut for some of the purposes mentioned below: Procuring land for cultivation. Building houses and factories. Making furniture or using wood as fuel.

Some natural causes of deforestation are fires and severe droughts.

Deforestation increases the temperature and pollution level on the earth. It increases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Ground water level also gets lowered. Deforestation disturbs the balance in nature. If cutting of trees continues, rainfall and the fertility of the soil will decrease. Moreover, there will be increase chances of natural calamities such as floods and droughts.

CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTRATION

SOIL EROSION AND DESSERTIFICATION

Deforestation is a major cause which leads to the change in soil properties. Physical properties of the soil get affected by plantation and vegetation. Fewer trees result in more SOIL EROSION Removal of the top layer of the soil exposes the lower, hard and rocky layers. This soil has less humus and is less fertile. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. It is called desertification. Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. The movement of water from the soil surface into the ground (infiltration rate) is reduced. So, there are floods. The other properties of the soil like nutrient content, texture, etc., also change because of deforestation These are some consequences of deforestation.

 By these some of man made mistakes and natural calamities many trees and gaint animals became extinct and are becoming al To prevent this loss and to protect our flora and fauna all over the world and in particular in our country the government has taken many measures. Like developing the protected areas which provide natural habitat for endangering species. national parks, sanctuaries, biosphere reserves etc.. Are some protected areas. In these areas planitation, cultivation, grazing, felling trees, hunting and poaching are prohibited .

Endemic species are those species of plants and animals

which are found exclusively in a particular area like protected area. They are not naturally found anywhere else.

BIODIVERSITY AND PROTECTED AREAS

Biosphere is that part of the earth in which living organisms exist or which
supports life. Biological diversity or biodiversity, refers to the variety of organisms existing on the earth, their interrelationships and their relationship with the environment

Sanctuary : Areas where animals are protected from any disturbance to them
and their habitat.

National Park : Areas reserved for wild life where they can freely use the
habitats and natural resources.

Biosphere Reserve : Large areas of protected land for conservation of

wildlife, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living areas

SOME PROTECTED AREAS AND THEIR BIODIVERSITY NATIONAL PARKS:1.Nagarhole National park near mysore famous for its endemic species of reptiles such as cobras, crocodiles, snakes 2. Bandipur national park in mysore known for its elephants and bison reserves. Here are some pictures of those parks

Wild life sanctuary: Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the estuary of the River Godavari. It supports a rich growth of mangrove vegetation. The habitat is suitable for a variety of wild and feathered species. Its near Kakinada port along Bay of Bengal .

 BIOSPHERE RESERVE: NILGIRIS are reserves in South India including the places like mudumalai,
mukurthi, wyanad, silent valley of kerala and bandipur, nagarhole of mysore. They are known for its tropical and semi ever green, dry and moist deciduous trees.

RED DATA BOOK

This book provides us information about the number of endagered plants and animals in the world during past few years.
So here is the threat for conservation of plants and animals because wild life is a natural asset. It is the duty of present generation to pass on unimpaired to posterity.

So save nature Live and let live should be our motto.